Ronald Kay Tew

Ronald Kay Tew passed away on March 20, 2026 in North Logan, Utah four weeks after having a stroke. He was 91 years old. His death occurred one day before his 68th wedding anniversary.

Ron was born in Mapleton, Utah on July 19, 1934 to William Thomas Tew Jr. and Jennie Houtz Tew. He met Farris Robinson while working as a service station attendant in Jacob Lake, Arizona and married her on March 21, 1958 in the Manti LDS temple.

As a youth, he enjoyed raising farm animals and riding horses.

He attended Mapleton Elementary School and Springville High School. He graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy. He received a Master’s degree in Soil Physics and a Ph. D. in Plant Nutrition and Biochemistry, from Utah State University. He was a life-long student and loved to learn new things.

He loved hiking in the mountains and walking in the valleys. He knew the names (genus and species) of every grass, shrub and tree in the mountain west. He loved maps and studied the landforms and geology of the west.

He also loved spending time at home with his family. Family outings in the mountains and foothills nearly always included learning about the things observed.

Ron served in the Army from 1955 to 1957. His duty stations included Ft. Carson - Colorado, Ft. Belvoir - Virginia, Ft. Lewis - Washington, Ft. Dix - New Jersey, Fontenet Ordinance Depot in France and Ft. Chaffee - Arkansas. During time-off in Europe, he travelled in Germany, Switzerland and France and had stories to go with all the photos he took.

His professional career included work as a park ranger in Yellowstone National Park followed by several years as a research scientist with the Intermountain Research Station in Logan, Utah, where he published numerous scientific papers. He worked for a year as a Professor at Fresno State University in California. He advanced from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor and was tenured in the time he was there. He worked for the Forest Service in Idaho and Utah for the remainder of his career. In 1988, he was selected as a team member to represent the Forest Service as a special watershed consultant in Israel.

Ron and Farris had two sons, Blaine (Barbara) and Craig (Shelley). Blaine and Barb, who live in Wellsville, Utah, have four children – Adam, Abbie, Sydney (Brad), and Karen. Craig and Shelley, who live in Farmington, Utah, also have four children – Crystal (Matt), Ethan, Bryan (Shalia) and Nicole. Ron and Farris have nine great grandchildren.

Ron is predeceased by his daughter Brenda, who died shortly after birth, his three sisters – Naoma T. Rowan, Merlene T. Colarusso, and Helen T. Stirland, his three brothers – Thirl, Roy, and Dean, and his parents. He is survived by his wife, Farris, of Springville, Utah

Funeral services will be held Monday, March 30th, 2026 in the Wheeler Mortuary located at 211 East 200 South in Springville, Utah. Viewing will be from 9:30 to 10:30, followed by the funeral at 11:00. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Utah.

In lieu of flowers, please consider contributing to the Church Perpetual Education fund.